Salubai was a sincere devotee of Shri Maharaj. Once Shri Maharaj said to her, "Salu, take flour and pulses and keep on cooking day and night. Go on feeding all those who come here; by doing so you will be loved by Narayan." That Salubai of Vaizapur is still alive at Shegaon. Pralhad Bua Joshi once had an opportunity of receiving the Blessings from Shri Maharaj but unfortunately lost it. There was one Tulsiram at Jalamb near Khamgaon. His son, Atmaram was very intelligent. He had special liking for Vedas, and so had gone to Kashi for its study. Daily bath at Bhagirathi River, food of Madhukari (Alms) and going to Guru for the studies of the Vedas was his daily routine. Contrary to this is the behaviour of the present day students, who waste their time in all types of entertainments instead of their studies. Can they gain any knowledge by such behaviour? Atmaram was not like that. He knew his responsibility well. After completing the studies, he returned home and first went to Shegaon to pay his respects to Shri Maharaj. Atmaram now knew Vedas but Shri Maharaj was the sun of knowledge. He recited Vedas along with Atmaram, and corrected him whenever necessary. It was a surprise for all to see Shri Maharaj reciting Vedas. Atmaram continued to stay with Shri Maharaj. How can a honeybee leave the honey? Daily he used to come to Shegaon from Jalamb and offer his services. So much was his devotion that when Shri Maharaj left the material world, Atmaram stayed at Shegaon only for the daily worship of the Samadhi. He did not accept any remuneration for this service, but on the contrary gave away his own property, which was a house and some land, to the trust of the temple. It is not the value of the offering one makes, but the devotion that counts. Shabari gained the grace of Shri Ram by offering jujube fruits, same thing happened here also. Swami Dattatreya Kedar, Narayan Jamkar, and Dudhahari Bua who lived on milk only, all of them had sincere devotion for Shri Maharaj.
Now listen to the story of Marutipant Patwari of Morgaon Bhakre in Balap Taluka. That Marutipant had Timaji Mali in his service for protection of the crops in the field. One night, while keeping a watch on the heap of grains in the field he fell asleep. At that time some donkeys entered the field and started eating the grains. But, Maruti being a sincere devotee, Shri Maharaj had to rush and saved the grains. He suddenly appeared in the field and called Timaji to wake up. Timaji woke up and Shri Maharaj disappeared from the field. He saw the donkeys and drove them away, but then thought of his master's likely wrath due to this loss. He realised the betrayal of the trust of his master in failing to protect the grains. The donkeys consumed nearly half of the heap of grains, and he could not find any excuse for his negligence of duty. See, how the servants had a sense of responsibility in those days, as against the present day servants who never care for the interest of their masters, and over and above are arrogant and dishonest. Timaji was not like that. He was unhappy over the loss and could not find any reason to excuse himself. He decided to own up to the responsibility for the loss and beg for pardon from his master, what he was sure, would for give him. He went to his master and touching his feet said, "O Sir, my sleep has put you to a great loss. The donkeys, while I was sleeping consumed half the heap of grains. Kindly come to the field to assess the loss and then only I will feel relieved." Thereupon Maruti said that he had no time to go to the field, as he was to go to Shegaon for the Darshan of Shri Gajanan Maharaj. He however promised to visit the field on his return from there. Maruti reached Shegaon at about ten in the morning. Shri Maharaj was sitting on the Asana with Jagu Patil and Balabhau sitting near him. Seeing Maruti Shri Maharaj smilingly said, "I had to go through a lot of trouble for you last night. You become my devotee and make me do the job of a watchman by employing lazy servants and yourself sleeping comfortably at home. Maruti, last night Timaji fell asleep and several donkeys entered your fields and started eating all your grains in the field. So I woke Timaji and alerted him to protect the grains. Maruti understood, and touching Gajanan Maharaj�s feet said, "You are our sole supporter. All responsibility of a child is on the mother, and You are our mother. Whatever we possess belongs to You, and everything is in Your hands. That heap of grains is Yours. Timaji is a servant for name�s sake. You protect the whole universe from this place. A mother tolerates all the whims and fancies of her children. You, being my mother had to rush to Morgaon and save me from the incurring loss. Kindly let me receive such grace from You perpetually. Now I will go and relieve Timaji from the service." Shri Maharaj said, "No, No, don't remove Timaji from service. I know that he is really honest and felt sorry to see the donkeys eating your grains. Had he not come to you in the morning to report the loss? He even requested you to visit the field and assess the loss; but you said that you were going to Shegaon and would visit the field on return from there." Maruti was overwhelmed by the unlimited benevolence of Shri Maharaj. Nobody had told Him about the donkeys entering his field, but knew it by His omnipotence.
Now listen to another story. In Shaka 1816 it happened at Balapur. Once, Shri Maharaj was happily sitting in the Veranda of Sukhlal Bansilal's house. He was completely naked, without any clothes on the body. People passing thereby were paying respects to Shri Maharaj. It was the main road in the market area and a police constable happened to go that way. His name was Narayan Asraji. As he noticed Maharaj he lost his temper and said, �This naked man is not a saint, but a hypocrit who is sitting here intentionally and so should not be ignored. Saying so, he started pouring abuses at Shri Maharaj, and further whipped Him with the cane in his hand. Marks appeared on the body of Shri Maharaj. Even so Asraji continued the whipping. Seeing this, one Shri Hundivala came forward and said, "It is not good to whip a saint, like this without any reason. God is the protector of saints. Look at the cane marks on His body and withdraw your hand. With this act you are bringing your end nearer. A sick man invites death when he over-looks the restrictions for good health. You have done the same thing today by whipping this pious man. It is still not late to beg for pardon from Shri Maharaj. But the Havaldar said, "I see no reason to beg for pardon. I know that the curse of a crow won't kill animals. This naked mean man, sitting on the main road, is uttering filthy words, and if God finds me guilty for whipping such man then it is the height of injustice." The prophecy proved true. The Havaldar and his relatives died within fortnight as a result of beating a saint. Therefore everybody should be cautious in his behaviour towards the saints till the reality is known.
One time there was a Gosavi who came to the Math for the Darshan of Gajanan Maharaj. He was a pauper and did not even have sufficient clothing to cover himself up. His name was Hari Jakhade Sangamneri. He looked at Maharaj and realized that He was surrounded by all important and rich people and felt insecure as to never be able to meet with Maharaj or ask a boon from Maharaj. He had a desire that needed to be fulfilled. He lusted for a familial life and hence arrived at Shegaon to pray to Gajanan Maharaj for the same. However there was an obstacle owing to which his desire could never be fulfilled and that was that he was poverty stricken and did not have sufficient money to start a family or own a house where to keep his wife and children, now did he have any source of money like a reliable job. He thought to himself, �I get food for a day and don't know the fate of next day. Such has been my life so far. I don't have money or any property. Who will offer me a bride? O Swami Gajanan, the abode of happiness, I keenly desire to have the pleasure of a family life. Kindly fulfil it by giving me a virtuous wife from a good family and then children too." As he was thinking so, Shri Maharaj, knowing his mind, spat at him and said to Himself,
"I spat at him because he has asked for worthless thing from me. People come to me for liberation from the bonds of this material world, but this Hari has asked for that worldly pleasure from me. See, how the ways of the world are. All seek material pleasure, and nobody wants to see the Almighty Hari." Then Shri Maharaj looked at Hari and said,
"You will get everything that you have presently desired in your mind. You will get a wife, children and money too. Now go home and lead a happy married life, but don't forget the Almighty God." With this advice Shri Maharaj gave him some money for his marriage. Thereafter Hari Jakhadi got married and was happy. How can the words of Shri Maharaj go waste?
Once, Shri Ramchandra Govind Nimonkar, an overseer, and Vasudeo Bende went to the Mukana River in the hills of Sahyadri in Igatpuri Tahsil of Nasik District. The forest over there was lush green with trees bending with the weight of fruits, and there were freely roaming wild animals. Near that Mukana River is a small stream in a narrow valley known as Kapildhara. It is believed to be a holy place and so people go there to take a bath on an auspicious day. Shri Nimonkar also went there on one such auspicious day. He had some elementary knowledge of yoga and was very keen to develop it further, and as such was enquiring of every ascetic he met at that place. They all denied possessing the knowledge of Yoga that he sought which disappointed him very much. He with folded hands, implored God to show him a person who could teach yoga to him. Suddenly, at Kapildhara, he saw a man with long arms reaching his knees, who appeared to be a sage. This tall man, with calm face, was sitting in meditation. Nimonkar prostrated before Him and waited till the evening to see Him open His eyes. But the yogi wouldn�t open His eyes or speak at all. For the whole day Nimonkar sat there without eating any food. As the evening approached, all the other ascetics at Kapildhara were returning. So Shri Nimonkar, with folded hands, implored the sage to teach him yoga. The sage gave him a picture and said, "Your wish will be fulfilled by this picture on which is written a Mantra (hymn) of sixteen words. Keep on chanting it continuously and by its power you may learn some yoga. Yoga Marga is the most difficult amongst all yogas. A small insect cannot go around Himalaya, nor can a snail climb the Meru Mountain. You may try Yoga by remaining a strict bachelor and cleaning your inner body by "Dhouti" and �Nouti�. If you do it sincerely, you shall be able to perform some Asanas. Now don't ask me any more questions, and take this Prasad.� Saying so, He gave him a red pebble, and disappeared. The same yogi met Nimonkar again on the bank of Godavari at Nasik. Nimonkar went running to Him and touching His feet, said, "Sir, You seem to be fed up with me. Last time You went away without telling me Your name and your whereabouts." Shri Maharaj said, "I told you my name by giving you a red pebble. God Ganesh from Narmada is always red but you being dull could not understand it. I am from Shegaon, and my name is Gajanan. You come with me to the house of Shri Dhumal, where we shall meet again." Saying so, Shri Maharaj disappeared and Nimonkar could not see Him. Then he went to Dhumal's house, where he was very happy to see Shri Maharaj sitting there. Mentally he bowed to Shri Maharaj and told Dhumal, everything that had happened from Kapildhara to Nasik. Shri Dhumal was very glad to hear all that, and then praised Shri Maharaj again and again for all his divine powers. He advised Nimonkar to worship that red pebble devotedly every day and perform yogasanas before it. Thus Shri Nimonkar learnt yogasanas by the grace of Shri Maharaj.
Tukaram Kokate of Shegaon had the misfortune of his children dying in infancy. So he vowed to Shri Maharaj that he would give away one child to Him if his children survived. Thereupon Kokate got three children and all of them survived, but he had forgotten his vow, and one child as promised, was not given to Shri Maharaj. His elder child Narayan got ill and did not respond to any medicine. His condition was getting grave everyday. Tukaram suddenly remembered his vow, and said as soon as Narayan was cured he would be given away to Shri Maharaj. Narayan really recovered soon, and then he was given to Shri Maharaj, to serve Him, as per the vow. Narayan is still there at Shegaon, and advises the devotees, that any vow once made to Shri Maharaj must be honoured. Shri Gajanan Maharaj, along with Hari Patil, went to Pandharpur to meet God Vithal, who is the ultimate goal to reach, a Kalpataru, Kamalnabh and all in all to all the saints. He is the supporter of this universe, the virtues of whom are praised by all Vedas, Lord of Rukmini, and the One residing in the hearts of all Saints. He is full of compassion and kindness to the devotees. Shri Maharaj reached Pandharpur, took a bath in the Holy Chandrabhaga River, and went to the temple for the Darshan of Shri Panduranga.
Shri Maharaj said, "O God Pandharinatha, benefactor and protector of devotees, and all powerful Rukmini Kanta, listen to my request. As per your command, I have so far lived on this earth and fulfilled the desires of all pious people. You know that my mission on the earth is now over. O Panduranga now permit me to go. God, I wish to reach Vaikunth for permanent stay at your feet, in the ensuing month of Bhadrapada." Saying so, Shri Samarth folded his hands. Tears brimmed his eyes at the thought of separation from Shree Hari. Hari Patil said with folded hands, "O Gurudeo, why these tears in Your eye? Have I hurt You in any way? Kindly tell me immediately."
Shri Maharaj replied, "You may not understand it even if I tell you the reason. It is very deep knowledge, and you need not bother to know that at present I can only say that our association is coming to an end. Come on; let us go back to Shegaon. You and your descendants will never fall short of anything. After their return from Pandharpur, all the religious rituals (Mavanda) were performed, but Hari Patil was full of anxiety. He told other people about what Shri Maharaj had said of their association coming to an end.
"Shravana" month passed and Shri Maharaj was getting weak every day. The "Bhadrapada" came, and now listen to what happened. On Ganesh Chathurti day Shri Maharaj said,
"Now all of you should come to the Math for immersion of Ganapati. It is said in "Ganesh Purana", that an idol of earth Ganapati be made on Chathurti and after offering Puja and sweets, He should be immersed in water the following day. That day has now dawned, and it should be celebrated by immersing my earthly body in water. Don't weep at all. Do not forget that I shall ever be here to protect and guide you. I can never forget you. Shrikrishna has told Arjuna in Geeta that, this body has to be changed like clothes. Remember that all the Brahmavetta (Saints) did the same thing, i.e. they only changed the body.� Shri Maharaj passed the whole day of Chathurti in a gay mood along with Balabhau. Next day he held Balabhau's hand and made him sit beside Him. Then He said, "Don't think that I have left you, keep up your Bhakti, and never forget me. I am always here only."
Saying so, that great saint stopped his breath, and pulled it up to his head by Pranayam. It was the noon of Thursday, Bhadrapada Shudha Panchami, Sadharan-nam - Sanvatsar, shak 1832. While holding up his breath, he uttered the words "Jai Gajanan." and merged himself with the Supreme Brahma at Shegaon. All his movements stopped. Looking to the "Samadhi" of Shri Maharaj all shed tears of sorrow. Then it was publicly announced in Shegaon that Shri Maharaj had attained Samadhi. With the spread of this news people started beating their chest with grief. They said, "Gone, Gone is our living God - Gone for ever. Gone is the saviour of the poor and the fallen. Gone is our nest and happiness. The wind of time has extinguished this flame of knowledge. O Gajanan, who will protect us now? Why have you left us so soon?" All the devotees of Shri Maharaj, namely Martand Patil, Hari Patil, Vishnusa, Bankatlal, Tarachand, Shripatrao Kulkarni gathered in the Math.
It was the day of Panchami, and all of them decided to close Shri Maharaj in Samadhi the next day. Since Shri Maharaj was now to disappear forever, they proposed to wait till evening for the devotees to come for the last Darshan. They said that those who were fortunate would get Darshan. So the messages were sent to outside places about Shri Swamiji's Samadhi.
Shri Govind Shastri Dongaonkar, a learned person, said that Shri Maharaj would keep the life flame alive in his forehead till all his affectionate devotees get Darshan. And to prove what he said Shastriji put some butter on the head of Shri Maharaj. The butter melted with the warmth in the head. It was the effect of "Yogashastra" acquired by Shri Maharaj.
Shri Govind Shastri said that Shri Maharaj could live in that trance even for a year, but never-the-less, it was advisable to close him in Samadhi pit after all the devotees got His last Darshan; and all agreed to it. Bhajan was started before Shri Maharaj and about thousand people participated in it. Shri Maharaj Himself gave the message, through dreams. On that Rushi Panchami day innumerable people gathered at Shegaon for the Darshan of Shri Maharaj. A Chariot was prepared for his last journey. Many Bhajan singers reached Shegaon in procession. Ladies sprinkled cow dung mixed water on the roads, and beautiful designs of Rangoli were drawn on it. All the houses on way and roads were illuminated. The body of Shri Maharaj was put on the decorated chariot, and the procession of the last journey of Shri Maharaj started. It was going round the town throughout the night. Various music instruments were playing ahead of the procession followed by Dindis singing Bhajans and people chanting the pious name of Vithala. Tulsi, Bukka, Gulal and flowers were showered on Shri Maharaj, and prasad of sweets was distributed. Some people even showered rupees and coins on the chariot carrying Shri Maharaj. Thus the procession moved on all the streets of Shegaon and returned to the Math in the morning. The body was carried to the place of Samadhi and the last Rudrabhisheka was performed. Final Puja was offered with full rituals, and honours, and the devotees raised their voice saying, �Jai Gajanan� �Jai to Narayan in the form of man� �Jai to the giver of indestructible happiness� �Jai to the Lord of this world.�
Saying so, the body with His face to north was put in the Samadhi pit. All devotees took the last Darshan shouting, "Jai Gajanan."
Then the pit was filled with salt, Argaja and Abir, and with heavy hearts, devotees closed the Samadhi with a big flat stone. Shri Maharaj is still there.
For ten days all were offered food daily as prasad of Shri Maharaj. Innumerable people got that prasad. The greatness and the authority of the saint are really supreme, and even an emperor is insignificant before Him.
So let this Gajanan Vijay epic, narrated by Shri Dasganu, show the right path to the devotees and help them develop Hari Bhakti.
"SHUBHAM BHA VA TU"
Here ends the Chapter Nineteen
Topic: Gajanan Maharaj Pothi (Read 64508 times)